Use ladder logic or IEC61131-3 programming to create the logic for monitoring and controlling your system. Read More >

Logic Blocks

An important aspect of MAPware-7000 is the ability to separate your PLC application into logic blocks. Logic blocks help to keep your project organized and easier to code. Up to 256 logic blocks can be created. In MAPware-7000, there are five types of logic blocks:

Power Up – As the name implies, this type of logic block executes only once at the beginning of program execution.

Main – Each main logic block is executed during every scan cycle of the program.

Subroutine – A subroutine logic block is very similar to a main logic block except that it is only executed when specifically called from another routine.

Timer Interrupts – Timer Interrupts are immediately executed whenever the assigned timer expires. The time interval can be set from 1 to 1000 msec.

Hardware Interrupts – These are logic blocks that are executed when an assigned digital input is active. Two hardware interrupt routines are available for each project.

Another important feature of Maple's PLCs is the ability to set up tasks or commands that are activated either during startup of the PLC (Power-On) or that run continuously in the background. Although most tasks can also be accomplished by writing logic in the Logic Blocks, using tasks often simplifies the overall project.

Power-On – tasks that are executed only once when power is applied to the PLC.

Global – tasks executed continuously in the background while the PLC scans through the ladder logic.

Tasks can perform functions such as setting/clearing bits, writing values to predefined tag registers, or copying a block of data.

Tags are names assigned to PLC/HMI addresses used in a project, allowing for easier identification of each address by descriptive name, rather than by register address. Read More >

Tags

Maple PLCs employ a database that allows you to assign mnemonic tags to internal memory or physical I/O of the PLC. This aides the ability to readily interpret how the program in the MLC is functioning and where problems may be occurring.

Predefined system tags – many tags are predefined and can be used to determine PLC status conditions (i.e. operation mode, COM status, scan time, errors), or useful values (always on/off, timer coils).

IO Configuration mode tags – Many of the I/O modules require configuration to determine how they operate (ex. As high speed counters, PWMs, measuring voltage or current, etc.). MAPware-7000 predefines IO Configuration registers to make this easier on the programmer.

External HMI/PLC tags – when selecting communications drivers to allow connection to an external device such as an HMI or another PLC, the PLC automatically adds any predefined memory areas to the tag database.

This handy feature is similar to a Watch window. It allows you to contruct a table of memory addresses that can be monitored from the MAPware-7000 software while your PC is connected 'online' to a Maple PLC.
Read More >

Data Window

The Data Window provides an easy tool that can be used to debug your project. In addition, the Data Window can also be used to download preset values to the PLC for testing.

Additionally, the Data Window allows you to:

New block – displays the Define Block dialog box. Use to define a block of data viewed in the Data Monitor.

Delete block – displays the Delete Block dialog box. Select which block of data you wish to remove from the Data Monitor.

Enter and change data or process variables in the PLC using a variety of different methods. Read More >

Data Logger

Capture critical data from the PLC during operation and store in either internal memory (MLC3) or an external SD card (MLC2) of the PLC. This data can then be imported into a computer as a CSV file for review.

External vs. Internal – Use external memory when using the MLC2 base CPU module or internal memory when using the MLC3. Note: Data Logger feature is not supported on the MLC1 models.

Multiple Groups – Configure up to four separate groups of data, each with their unique data set and trigger.

Options for capturing (logging) data:

Power up – capture data based upon a time interval that starts immediately after power is applied to the PLC.

Start/Stop Time – data is logged based upon a time interval and a start/stop time.

Bit task – same as Power-Up except that logging starts/stops according to an Enable Control bit.

Event based – data is captured each time a control bit changes state (rising, falling, or both).

Data logged to the external SD card can also be periodically sent to an FTP server as a .csv file through the Ethernet port. Read More >

FTP Support

The MLC2 model has an additional option when using the Data Logger feature described above. Data collected from the Data Logger can be transferred to a *.CSV file, then immediately sent to an FTP Server via the Ethernet port or one of the serial ports.

Screens are displayed in the web browser as if it were a website. Only text based objects and static images are supported in this type of screen. Read More >

Web Server

The MLC3 model has a web server option that can be used when the PLC is connected to a remote PC via Ethernet connection. Using a web browser, the remote computer can display screens of data sent by the MLC3.

Up to 100 screens can be created using MAPware-7000. Up to 100 objects (i.e. text, bitmaps, bit and register data values, and buttons) are available per screen. Ten users can be connected to the MLC3 simultaneously.

The following objects are available for use on web screens:

Command

Description

Bit Display

Represent the state of a bit in a text format (1 for On, 0 for Off).

Numeric Display

Displays a number stored in a data register.

Bit Entry

Use this object to change the state of a bit (1 for On, 0 for Off).

Set Bit

Use this object to latch a bit on.

Reset Bit

Use this object to latch a bit off.

Momentary Bit

Use this object to set a bit when the object is actuated and reset the bit when the object is released.

Toggle Bit

Use this object to toggle the status of a bit (set when pressed once; reset when pressed again).

Write Value to Tag

Use this object to write a constant value to a tag.

Add Value to Tag

Use this object to add a constant value to a tag.

Substract Value from Tag

Use this object to subtract a constant value from a tag.

Add Tag B to Tag A

Use this object to add the value of Tag B to Tag A.

Substract Tag B from Tag A

Use this object to subtract the value of Tag B from Tag A.

Numeric Entry

Allows numeric or ASCII character entry to a targeted data register.

Multilingual Text

Create a text box using Windows TrueType fonts. Note: the browser must be able to display the selected font, otherwise a default font is displayed.

Picture Object

Display a JPG, BMP, or GIF picture using either predefined libraries or your own custom image.

Go To Screen

Allows the remote user to navigate to other web screens.

Go To Next Screen

Allows the remote user to navigate to the sequentially next web screen.

Use Offline Simulation to see how your project will look on the PLC without actually downloading it into the device.
Read More >

Simulation modes

Online – A great test tool, online mode allows you to monitor values in the PLC while connected to your computer. Force changes in registers to test your PLC program.

Debug – An extension to using online mode, the debug options in MAPware-7000 allow you to set breakpoints in your PLC ladder logic and step through each instruction to determine where possible problems may exist in your program.

For 35 years, Maple Systems has been a quality-driven leader in the industrial controls marketplace. We specialize in the design, manufacture, and support of human machine interface (HMI) solutions. We offer affordable control solutions for industrial, OEM, automation, and municipal applications. We take pride in providing superior customer support and application assistance to help you achieve business and process goals on time and within budget.